Haebangchon Pad Ka Paw Revisit — Finally Got a Table with Seoul View & Thai Flavours

Haebangchon Pad Ka Paw Revisit — We Finally Made It

The last time my friends and I went to Haebangchon, we tried to get a table at Pad Ka Paw but missed out — lunch ended just thirty minutes after we joined the waiting list. We ended up eating burgers instead, though the disappointment lingered far longer than the taste. If you read my previous Haebangchon post, you’ll probably remember that story.

First sighting — the tiny doorway with a not-so-tiny queue.

My two best friends are both obsessed with Thai food, so naturally they were the first to say, “We have to go back and conquer it properly this time.” And so we did. During the Chuseok holiday, while staying at Banyan Tree near Namsan, we planned our second attempt.

We left the hotel early, determined not to repeat the same mistake. The memory of our previous parking nightmare was still fresh, but optimism is a powerful thing. We first tried the Yongsan 2-ga Public Car Park — full, as expected. In the end, one friend parked at the Itaewon 2-dong Public Parking Lot and walked up to meet us.

Parking tip: Let me say this for anyone planning a visit: parking in Haebangchon is nearly impossible. You’re better off leaving your car in Itaewon and walking up or grabbing a short taxi ride. The uphill stroll isn’t bad — old houses, tiny shops, and stray cats give the area a slow, nostalgic rhythm.

Tiny frontage, big following — arrive early.

We reached Pad Ka Paw around eleven. The staff smiled and told us the waiting list would open at 11:30. I suggested coffee while we waited, but my friend shook her head firmly. “We queue now, or we lose again.” She was right. By 11:15 a line had already formed, and some groups were giving up.

The place only has four tables, so timing is everything. Miss the first seating and you’ll likely have to turn around. Thankfully, our persistence paid off — we got the best seat in the house, right by the window. That small victory felt extra sweet after last time’s failure.

Window seat glow: Namsan’s green slope and the soft Yongsan skyline.

A tiny slice of Thailand — warm wood, travel posters, soft yellow light.

Inside, the restaurant felt like a miniature slice of Thailand — warm wooden tables, travel posters curling slightly at the edges, soft yellow lights. From our window we could see the slopes of Namsan, the outlines of Yongsan rooftops, and, on that clear morning, even a glimpse of Namsan Seoul Tower. Sunlight drifted across our table, turning every plate into a photograph.

Golden hour inside — every plate turns into a photograph.

What we ordered (and why it was worth the wait)

We ordered four dishes: Pad Ka Paw, Pad Ka Mao, Som Yam Thai, and Tom Yum Goong. The name dish, Pad Ka Paw (ผัดกะเพรา), is the soul of Thai home cooking — minced meat stir-fried with holy basil, garlic, and chilli, served over rice with a soft-fried egg. Simple, spicy, and deeply comforting.

Holy basil, wok-smoke, and a golden egg — Seoul’s best bite of Thailand.

Here, the basil aroma hits first, followed by the smoky heat from the wok. The spice is assertive but clean, the kind that wakes you up without numbing your tongue. When the runny egg yolk breaks over the rice, everything comes together in one perfect, golden moment. It’s easily the best Pad Ka Paw I’ve had in Seoul — balanced, fragrant, and utterly satisfying.

The other dishes didn’t disappoint either. The Tom Yum Goong has that tangy-lemongrass kick that tightens your jaw, while Som Yam Thai is bright, nutty, and refreshing. It’s no wonder so many reviews say, “It tastes even better than in Thailand.” The chef is, in fact, Thai — you can taste that precision in every bite.

The moment the yolk breaks — pure comfort.

Useful Info — Pad Ka Paw, Haebangchon

• Where: Haebangchon (near Shinhung Market), Yongsan-gu
• Queue opens: around 11:30 for lunch (arrive by ~11:00–11:15)
• Seating: very small — only 4 tables (first seating is key)
• Parking: use Itaewon 2-dong Public Parking, then walk or taxi
• Best order: Pad Ka Paw + Tom Yum Goong + Som Yam Thai

After lunch, we walked the quiet side road that skirts Namsan, back towards where we’d parked in Itaewon 2-dong. The sun was soft, the air smelled faintly of pine, and the city below shimmered in that hazy late-autumn light. We talked about nothing and everything — and for a while, it felt like being on holiday without leaving Seoul.

Post-lunch stroll by Namsan — pine scent, quiet road, happy hearts.

Pad Ka Paw, Haebangchon isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a small triumph of patience, friendship, and flavour. Maybe the joy came from finally succeeding, or maybe it was just the perfect mix of chilli, basil, and sunshine. Either way, it’s a place I’ll remember — and yes, next time, I’ll finally write about our stay at Banyan Tree.

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